Body building system with shrouded weight stack

ABSTRACT

A plurality of similarly configured weight plates each with a planar face having a horizontal coupling aperture and a numerical value form a weight stack. A front cover, with a generally rectangular cutout in a central section exposing all of the numerical values and coupling apertures, and a rear cover form a cover assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shrouded weight stack for a bodybuilding system with the capability of selectively varying the weight tobe lifted by a user in a safe, convenient and economical manner.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of exercise systems of known designs and configurations is knownin the prior art. More specifically, exercise systems of known designsand configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose ofvarying resistance for exercise through known methods and apparatusesare known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obviousstructural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designsencompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for thefulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,139 issued Apr. 30, 1991 toTowley relates to an Assisted Dip/Chin Exercise Device and U.S. Pat. No.4,842,271 issued Jun. 27, 1989 to Vinciguerra relates to a Leg ExtensionExercise Machine with Leg Length and Exercise Motion Range AdjustmentApparatus.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives andrequirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a shroudedweight stack for a body building system with the capability ofselectively varying the weight to be lifted by a user in a safe,convenient and economical manner.

In this respect, the body building system with a shrouded weight stackaccording to the present invention substantially departs from theconventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing soprovides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of shrouding aweight stack for a body building system with the capability ofselectively varying the weight to be lifted by a user in a safe,convenient and economical manner.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need fora new and improved body building system with a shrouded weight stackwhich can be used for selectively varying the weight to be lifted by auser in a safe, convenient and economical manner. In this regard, thepresent invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofexercise systems of known designs and configurations now present in theprior art, the present invention provides an improved body buildingsystem with a shrouded weight stack. As such, the general purpose of thepresent invention, which will be described subsequently in greaterdetail, is to provide a new and improved body building system with ashrouded weight stack and method which has all the advantages of theprior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a bodybuilding system with a shrouded weight stack. First provided is a bodybuilding machine. The body building machine has an area. The areareceives and supports a user. The body building machine has a resistivemember. The resistive member is adapted to be moved by a user. The bodybuilding machine has a weight stack. The weight stack has a totalheight. A preselected portion of the weight stack is adapted to belifted in response to the movement of the resistive member by a user.

A plurality of similarly configured weight plates are provided. In thismanner the weight stack is formed. Each weight plate has a generallyplanar upper surface. Each weight plate has a generally planar lowersurface. A thickness is defined between the upper and lower surfaces.Each weight plate has a generally oval shaped peripheral side wall. Theside walls each have a planar face in a vertical plane. Each planar faceincludes a horizontal coupling aperture. Each planar face includes anumerical value. The numerical value corresponds to the weight of theweight plate on which it appears plus the weight of the weight platesthere above. Each weight plate has a pair of laterally spaced verticalguide apertures. The guide apertures of each weight plate extend betweenthe upper and lower surfaces and in vertical alignment. Each weightplate also has a vertical locking aperture. The vertical lockingaperture extends between the upper and lower surfaces midway between theguide apertures.

Provided next is a pair of vertically disposed, laterally spaced guiderods. The guide rods are parallel with respect to each other. The guiderods have upper ends. The guide rods have lower ends. The guide rodsslidably receive the guide apertures of the weight plates. In thismanner reciprocal movement along the guide rods is facilitated.

An upper support is provided. The upper support receives and supportsthe upper ends of the guide rods. A lower support is provided. The lowersupport receives and supports the lower ends of the guide rods. Eachsupport has a periphery radially spaced from the weight stack in agenerally oval configuration. The upper support has a downwardlyextending side wall. The lower support has an upwardly extending sidewall. The side walls have an axial length greater than the thickness ofone weight plate. The side walls have curved front faces adjacent to thehorizontal coupling apertures and the numerical values. The sidewalls-have planar rear faces opposite from the front faces.

A coupling bar is provided next. The coupling bar extends through thelocking apertures of the weight plate. The coupling bar has a lower endadjacent to a lowermost weight plate of the weight stack. The couplingbar has an upper end above an uppermost weight plate of the weightstack. The coupling bar has a horizontal coupling bore. The couplingbore is axially aligned with each coupling aperture of the weightplates. A locking pin 56 is provided. The locking pin is selectivelypositionable through a coupling aperture of a weight plate and analigned coupling bore. A flexible cable is provided. The flexible cableextends upwardly from the top of the coupling bar and terminating at theresistive member. The upper support has a hole. The hole provides forthe passage of the cable.

Further provided are cylindrical spaced recesses. The recesses areprovided in the upper and lower supports. The recesses receive the upperand lower ends of the guide rods. A cylindrical central recess isprovided. The central recess is provided in the lower support. Thecentral recess removably receives the coupling bar.

Provided last is a cover assembly. The cover assembly has a height ofbetween 2 and 3 times the total height of the weight stack. The coverassembly includes a front cover. The cover assembly includes a rearcover. The rear cover has a planar central section. The rear cover hascurved side sections. The front cover has a curved central section. Thefront cover has curved side sections. The front and rear covers haveupper ends. The upper ends are positioned within the side wall of theupper support with their side sections overlapping. The front and rearcovers have lower ends. The lower ends are positioned within the sidewall of the lower support with their side sections overlapping. Thecurved central section of the front cover has a generally rectangularcutout. In this manner all of the numerical values and couplingapertures are exposed. The cutout has a height between 10 percent and 20percent greater than the total height of the weight stack. The cutouthas a width between 15 and 20 percent of the height of the cutout. Thefront of the side wall of the upper support has laterally spacedapertures. The upper end of the front cover has laterally spacedcomplementary vertical slots. Fasteners couple the side wall of theupper support to the front cover.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved body building system with a shrouded weight stack which has allof the advantages of the prior art exercise systems of known designs andconfigurations and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved body building system with a shrouded weight stack which may beeasily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is further object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved body building system with a shrouded weight stack which is ofdurable and reliable constructions.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved body building system with a shrouded weight stack which issusceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materialsand labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices ofsale to the consuming public, thereby making such body building systemwith a shrouded weight stack economically available to the buyingpublic.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide ashrouded weight stack for a body building system with the capability ofselectively varying the weight to be lifted by a user in a safe,convenient and economical manner.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved body building system with a shrouded weight stack having aplurality of similarly configured weight plates, each with a planar facehaving a horizontal coupling aperture and a numerical value, forming aweight stack, and a front cover, with a generally rectangular cutout ina central section exposing all of the numerical values and couplingapertures, and a rear cover forming a cover assembly.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a body building system 10 havinga shrouded weight stack.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are is front, side perspective and explodedperspective views of the shrouded weight stack.

FIG. 6, 7 and 8 are front, side and perspective illustrations of theweight stack without the shroud.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are front, side, top and perspectiveillustrations of the lower support.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and 10E are front, side, top, perspective andexploded perspective illustrations of the upper support.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D are front, side, top and perspectiveillustrations of the rear cover.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D are front, side, top and perspectiveillustrations of the front cover.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout thevarious Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof,the preferred embodiment of the new and improved body building systemwith a shrouded weight stack embodying the principles and concepts ofthe present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral10 will be described.

The present invention, the body building system with a shrouded weightstack 10 is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components intheir broadest context include a plurality of similarly configuredweight plates and a cover assembly. Such components are individuallyconfigured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain thedesired objective.

First provided is a body building machine 14. The body building machinehas an area 16. The area receives and supports a user. The body buildingmachine has a resistive member 18. The resistive member is adapted to bemoved by a user. The body building machine has a weight stack 20. Theweight stack has a total height. A preselected portion of the weightstack is adapted to be lifted in response to the movement of theresistive member by a user.

A plurality of similarly configured weight plates 24 are provided. Inthis manner the weight stack is formed. Each weight plate has agenerally planar upper surface. Each weight plate has a generally planarlower surface. A thickness is defined between the upper and lowersurfaces. Each weight plate has a generally oval shaped peripheral sidewall. The side walls each have a planar face 26 in a vertical plane.Each planar face includes a horizontal coupling aperture 28. Each planarface includes a numerical value 30. The numerical value corresponds tothe weight of the weight plate on which it appears plus the weight ofthe weight plates there above. Each weight plate has a pair of laterallyspaced vertical guide apertures 32. The guide apertures of each weightplate extend between the upper and lower surfaces and in verticalalignment. Each weight plate also has a vertical locking aperture 34.The vertical locking aperture extends between the upper and lowersurfaces midway between the guide apertures.

Provided next is a pair of vertically disposed, laterally spaced guiderods 38. The guide rods are parallel with respect to each other. Theguide rods have upper ends 40. The guide rods have lower ends 42. Theguide rods slidably receive the guide apertures of the weight plates. Inthis manner reciprocal movement along the guide rods is facilitated.

An upper support 46 is provided. The upper support receives and supportsthe upper ends of the guide rods. A lower support 48 is provided. Thelower support receives and supports the lower ends of the guide rods.Each support has a periphery radially spaced from the weight stack in agenerally oval configuration. The upper support has a downwardlyextending side wall. The lower support has an upwardly extending sidewall. The side walls have an axial length greater than the thickness ofone weight plate. The side walls have curved front faces adjacent to thehorizontal coupling apertures and the numerical values. The side wallshave planar rear faces opposite from the front faces.

A coupling bar 52 is provided next. The coupling bar extends through thelocking apertures of the weight plate. The coupling bar has a lower endadjacent to a lowermost weight plate of the weight stack. The couplingbar has an upper end above an uppermost weight plate of the weightstack. The coupling bar has a horizontal coupling bore 54. The couplingbore is axially aligned with each coupling aperture of the weightplates. A locking pin 56 is provided. The locking pin is selectivelypositionable through a coupling aperture of a weight plate and analigned coupling bore. A flexible cable 58 is provided. The flexiblecable extends upwardly from the top of the coupling bar and terminatingat the resistive member. The upper support has a hole 60. The holeprovides for the passage of the cable.

Further provided are cylindrical spaced recesses 64, 66. The recessesare provided in the upper and lower supports. The recesses receive theupper and lower ends of the guide rods. A cylindrical central recess 68is provided. The central recess is provided in the lower support. Thecentral recess removably receives the coupling bar.

Provided last is a cover assembly. The cover assembly has a height ofbetween 2 and 3 times the total height of the weight stack. The coverassembly includes a front cover 72. The cover assembly includes a rearcover 74. The rear cover has a planar central section. The rear coverhas curved side sections. The front cover has a curved central section.The front cover has curved side sections. The front and rear covers haveupper ends. The upper ends are positioned within the side wall of theupper support with their side sections overlapping. The front and rearcovers have lower ends. The lower ends are positioned within the sidewall of the lower support with their side sections overlapping. Thecurved central section of the front cover has a generally rectangularcutout 76. In this manner all of the numerical values and couplingapertures are exposed. The cutout has a height between 10 percent and 20percent greater than the total height of the weight stack. The cutouthas a width between 15 and 20 percent of the height of the cutout. Thefront of the side wall of the upper support has laterally spacedapertures 78. The upper end of the front cover has laterally spacedcomplementary vertical slots 80. Fasteners couple the side wall of theupper support to the front cover.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, thesame should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, nofurther discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will beprovided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. A body building system having a shrouded weight stack comprising: aplurality of similarly configured weight plates forming the weight stackwith a total height, each weight plate having a planar face including ahorizontal coupling aperture and a numerical value; and a cover assemblyincluding a front and rear cover, the front cover having a centralsection, a generally rectangular cutout in the lower extent of thecentral section of the front cover to expose all of the numerical valuesand coupling apertures, the cutout having a height between 10 percentand 20 percent greater than the total height of the weight stack and awidth between 15 percent and 20 percent of the height of the cutoutwhereby the majority of the surface area of the front cover isimperforate.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The system as set forth in claim 1 whereineach weight plate is formed with a pair of laterally spaced verticalguide apertures and further including: a pair of vertically disposed,laterally spaced guide rods with upper and lower ends, the guide rodsslidably receiving the guide apertures for reciprocal movement; an uppersupport receiving and supporting the upper ends of the guide rods; and alower support receiving and supporting the lower ends of the guide rods,the height of the guide bars being between 2 and 3 times the totalheight of the weight stack.
 4. The system as set forth in claim 1 andfurther including a body building machine having an area to receive andsupport a user and a resistive member, the resistive member beingcoupled to the weight stack, a preselected portion of the weight stackadapted to be lifted in response to the movement of the resistive memberby a user.
 5. A body building system having a shrouded weight stack withthe capability of selectively varying the weight to be lifted by a userin a safe, convenient and economical manner, the system comprising, incombination: a body building machine having an area to receive andsupport a user and a resistive member adapted to be moved by a user anda weight stack having a total height, a preselected portion of theweight stack adapted to be lifted in response to the movement of theresistive member by a user; a plurality of similarly configured weightplates forming the weight stack, each weight plate having a generallyplanar upper surface and a generally planar lower surface defining athickness between the upper and lower surfaces, each weight plate havinga generally oval shaped peripheral side wall, the side walls each havinga planar face in a vertical plane, each planar face including ahorizontal coupling aperture and a numerical value corresponding to theweight of the weight plate on which it appears plus the weight of theweight plates there above, each weight plate being formed with a pair oflaterally spaced vertical guide apertures, the guide apertures of eachweight plate extending between the upper and lower surfaces and invertical alignment, each weight plate also being formed with a verticallocking aperture extending between the upper and lower surfaces midwaybetween the guide apertures; a pair of vertically disposed, laterallyspaced guide rods, the guide rods being parallel with respect to eachother with upper ends and lower ends, the guide rods slidably receivingthe guide apertures of the weight plates for reciprocal movement alongthe guide rods; an upper support receiving and supporting the upper endsof the guide rods, a lower support receiving and supporting the lowerends of the guide rods, each support having a periphery radially spacedfrom the weight stack in a generally oval configuration, the uppersupport having a downwardly extending side wall, the lower supporthaving an upwardly extending side wall, the side walls having an axiallength greater than the thickness of one weight plate, the side wallshaving curved front faces adjacent to the horizontal coupling aperturesand the numerical values, the side walls having planar rear facesopposite from the front faces; a coupling bar extending through thelocking apertures of the weight plate, the coupling bar having a lowerend adjacent to a lowermost weight plate of the weight stack and anupper end above an uppermost weight plate of the weight stack, ahorizontal coupling bore in the coupling bar axially aligned with eachcoupling aperture of the weight plates, a locking pin selectivelypositionable through a coupling aperture of a weight plate and analigned coupling bore, a flexible cable extending upwardly from the topof the coupling bar and terminating at the resistive member, and a holein the upper support for the passage of the cable; cylindrical spacedrecesses in the upper and lower supports for receiving the upper andlower ends of the guide rods, a cylindrical central recess in the lowersupport for removably receiving the coupling bar; and a cover assemblyhaving a height of between 2 and 5 times the total height of the weightstack, the cover assembly including a front cover and a rear cover, therear cover having a planar central section with curved side sections,the front cover having a curved central section with curved sidesections, the front and rear covers having upper ends positioned withinthe side wall of the upper support with their side sections overlapping,the front and rear covers having lower ends positioned within the sidewall of the lower support with their side sections overlapping, agenerally rectangular cutout in the lower extent of the curved centralsection of the front cover to expose all of the numerical values andcoupling apertures, the cutout having a height between 10 percent and 20percent greater than the total height of the weight stack, the cutouthaving a width between 15 and 20 percent of the height of the cutout,the malority of the surface area of the front cover being imperforate,laterally spaced apertures in the front of the side wall of the uppersupport with laterally spaced complementary vertical slots in the upperend of the front cover and with fasteners coupling the side wall of theupper support to the front cover.